Get Even More GQ This Month

Obama's casual approach

From Reagan and Bush II’s ranchwear to JFK’s sailing shorts, casual clothing has often helped define a president’s image. So what does 44’s off-duty attire—typically a black windbreaker and a White Sox cap—say about him? Quite a bit, as Cathy Horyn notes in today’s Thursday Styles. (Among those weighing in? Noted fashion expert Jerry Seinfeld, who wisely denies inspiring B.O.’s preference for mom jeans.) In short, the look reflects the same cautious, complex persona Obama cultivated during the campaign. Not everyone’s a fan, though. "The casual thing is a bit of a disappointment," says Barneys’ Tom Kalenderian. What did that other president from Illinois say about pleasing all of the people all of the time?